It's always a little cause for concern when your dog starts overgrooming. It's one thing if they spend a little extra time licking their leg; you can usually write that off as something normal.
When the behavior continues for longer periods of time, and your dog starts to repeat excessive grooming patterns, though, that's usually a sign that something deeper is at play. It's not necessarily a major issue, but it's something that should be addressed before it turns into one.
Excessive grooming can lead to open sores, secondary infections, and more. One thing leads to another if your dog's unusual behavior goes uncared for. So, let's take a look at the causes of excessive grooming in dogs and what you can do about it.
What Constitutes "Excessive Grooming"?
It can be tricky to tell when grooming is going too far, and it's easy to lean on wishful thinking to tell us that everything is okay.
The key thing to keep in mind is that dogs groom themselves all over, and it's essential for them to do so. A healthy dog will lick or groom multiple areas of their body throughout the day, but they won't usually spend time on the same area repeatedly.
If your dog is spending enough time on the same area for you to clock it as unusual, that's a sign that you should take notice.
Here are some key signs that your dog is overgrooming:
- Repetitive, prolonged licking or chewing on a single area
- Grooming is interrupting normal activities (play, eating)
- Sudden jolts to groom, almost as if they'd been bitten by an insect and reacted to that sensation
- Physical consequences of grooming such as lost hair, red patches, thickened skin from repeated irritation
- Reliance on grooming as a coping mechanism, with no visible benefit in terms of skin & coat maintenance
You don't have to be a veterinarian to notice these things. Nobody knows your dog better than you, so if your dog starts to exhibit unusual behaviors around grooming like the ones listed above, odds are that there's something going on under the surface.
But what?
What Causes Excessive Grooming in Dogs?
Dogs are very complex, and changes to grooming can come both from physical and emotional changes. We'll look at three of the most common causes of this behavior, and you can troubleshoot solutions to see if they resolve the issue.
If you're struggling to find a solution to your dog's excessive grooming, or your dog has started to develop hot spots or sores, see your veterinarian right away. Any instance where the skin has broken is cause for serious concern and should be addressed by a professional right away.
1. Allergies, Irritants, Insects (Topical Issues)
Dogs are vulnerable to allergies, and their low bodies and penchant for exploring foliage makes them prime suspects for parasites. Both of these things irritate a dog's skin in many cases, and the only thing they know to do is groom the area.
Signs your dog's issues are topical include:
- Paws, belly, ears, armpits, or skin folds are the target areas. These are considered "hot zones." These areas either have thin skin, less fur, or are more likely to come in contact with allergens, and they commonly show up with the most irritation.
- Redness and rash are present where your dog is licking. This is especially true if the redness, bumps, or rash are visible early on in your dog's overgrooming. Excessive grooming can lead to redness, but if redness precedes grooming it's likely a topical issue.
- Head shaking and hyper fixation on the ears. Ear infections and itchy ears are common symptoms of allergies.
- Predictable outbreaks are a clear sign of allergies, especially if symptoms show up seasonally.
If it sounds like your dog is experiencing topical irritation from allergies, parasites, or environmental irritants, there are a lot of things you can do.
Potential Solutions for Your Dog's Irritation
- The first thing to do is try and identify the trigger. This can be difficult, but it may be easier than you think if you pay closer attention to your dog's symptoms, their patterns, and the things your dog is exposed to on a daily basis.
- If it's environmental allergies, one thing you can do is wipe your dog down after walks. Focus on their paws especially, but also wipe down their coat and face. This can reduce the amount of pollen, chemicals, or other irritants present on their skin after exposure to the outdoors.
- Next, keep up on flea & tick medications. Fleas are a big cause of overgrooming, and it can be difficult to spot fleas in the moment. The best defense against this is regular flea & tick treatment.
- Another option is trying a hypoallergenic food option. Dogs have dietary allergies just like humans, so see if their food source might be the cause of their discomfort. If you've recently switched your dog's food, go back to their old food and see if the symptoms go away.
- Start with daily immune support. There are plenty of options available that can help your dog's immune system stay in balance and be less vulnerable.
Lastly, you can try to relieve your dog's irritation topically with a cream or balm. In many cases, soothing their irritation will reduce their grooming and give the skin time to heal on its own. Lolahemp's CBD Balm for dogs is designed to soothe troubled skin and give dogs relief.
2. Pain or Invisible Health Issues (Often Arthritis)
If a dog has internal pain in a specific area, they will often lick and bite that area as a way to soothe it. If you bump your knee really hard into the corner of a table, what do you do? You rub it and try to soothe it yourself, at least at first.
Dogs who excessively groom the areas around their joints may be experiencing some form of arthritis. It could also be the case that your dog has an injury of some kind. Internal issues are difficult to diagnose on your own, so a visit to the vet is a good idea in these cases.
It's very important to offer your dog a topical soothing solution while you get their underlying health issue under control. If your dog is left to lick and gnaw at their skin, they could develop a hot spot or infection. A soothing ointment or balm is a great place to start.
Additionally, you can give your dog a sling, cone, or booties to prevent them from licking certain areas.
Potential Solutions to Your Dog's Internal Discomfort
- To start, visit your veterinarian to address what's really going on with your dog. It could be arthritis, injury, or even something in their internal system that requires attention.
- In the case of mobility issues, you can start your dog on a hip & joint support plan. Look for an option that can help relieve their discomfort in the short term as well as offering support to help them stay mobile for the long term. Lolahemp offers a variety of mobility options that may help in these situations.
- Be sure to understand the issue, even if symptoms go away. If your dog is struggling with something under the skin, it may come back. They might also stop gnawing the area even if the pain doesn't go away.
Unfortunately, internal pain and arthritis are a common cause of excessive grooming in dogs. These situations should be handled with professional help, and you should be sure to get to the bottom of things even if your dog stops their unusual grooming behavior. Injuries can diminish for a time, only to return with more pain.
3. Anxiety and Stress
One of the most overlooked reasons for overgrooming is emotional. Dogs under stress often resort to repetitive behaviors like licking, chewing, or paw gnawing as a coping mechanism. Just like humans might bite their nails when anxious, dogs may focus on grooming as a way to self-soothe.
Signs your dog's overgrooming may be caused by anxiety include:
- Grooming that happens during stressful events such as fireworks, thunderstorms, or when left home alone.
- Patterns that seem unrelated to physical triggers (no rash, redness, or joint issues) but still persist daily.
- Other anxious behaviors alongside grooming, such as pacing, whining, trembling, or destructive tendencies.
- Worsening with changes in routine like moving homes, new family members, or schedule disruptions.
Over time, stress-induced overgrooming can become a learned habit, even when the original trigger isn’t present. This makes it all the more important to address your dog’s emotional wellbeing early on.
Potential Solutions for Your Dog's Stress & Anxiety
- Identify the stressors. Look at your dog’s environment and routine. Are there loud noises, long periods of isolation, or unpredictable changes that could be causing anxiety? Reducing these triggers, even slightly, can help.
- Provide calming outlets. Gentle training sessions, puzzle toys, and consistent exercise can redirect anxious energy into something constructive. Building predictability into their daily routine is one of the best ways to make them feel safe.
- Use natural calming support. Supplements with ingredients like chamomile, L-theanine, and full-spectrum hemp oil can help support a balanced mood and reduce anxious grooming behaviors. Lolahemp’s calming chews and oils are designed to help dogs feel secure and emotionally balanced.
- Offer comfort during stressful events. Thunder shirts, calming music, or simply being present with your dog can make a big difference. Sometimes, your calm presence is the strongest reassurance.
Just like with topical or internal causes, stress-related overgrooming can spiral into bigger issues if left untreated. Supporting your dog’s emotional health with structure, enrichment, and calming aids can help them break the cycle of stress-driven grooming and improve their overall quality of life.
Conclusion
Overgrooming in dogs can be a big issue, but it's not always cause for concern. If your dog spends a little extra time grooming one area for a day or two, then stops, that's not necessarily a big deal.
If the behavior continues for more than two days, it's something to keep an eye on and be aware of because overgrooming can lead to significant health issues. When you've spotted a significant grooming issue, it's very important to figure out what's going on. You may need to work with your veterinarian to get to the bottom of things.
For immune support and topical relief options, be sure to explore Lolahemp's options while you're searching for a solution with your veterinarian. Keeping your dog away from their irritated spot can be the difference between a serious issue and something that resolves relatively quickly!
